Spring is a fantastic time to bring life and colour to your garden, and spring flowering shrubs are perfect for the job!
Here’s a roundup of 10 of the best spring-flowering shrubs to brighten up your outdoor space. You are sure to finds something here to suit the space and growing conditions in your garden.
Most spring flowering shrubs flower on growth that plant has put on in the previous summer. So they are easy to care for and just need to be pruned after they have flowered in Spring.
I always love spring flowers because of the way that they herald the start of another exciting gardening season. Spring flowering shrubs can become a mainstay of your garden. So hopefully, you will find some inspiration here.
Vibrant Azalea varieties
Azaleas are a classic choice for any garden. Their bright blooms can create a delightful scene in the spring. Just look at these lovely varieties in the image, showcasing shades of pink and red. They will truly light up your garden.
The flowers are so proliferous that they create a tropical look, yet they are comfortably suited to cool climates.
Typically, azaleas grow to a size ranging from 2 to 6 feet tall, depending on the variety. They do well in partial shade but can tolerate full sun if given enough moisture. Most azaleas are hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9, making them suitable for many climates.
Pruning is usually best done right after flowering. This helps maintain their shape and encourages more blooms the following season.
Fragrant Lilac
The fragrant lilac bush is a favourite among gardeners, known for its captivating blooms and delightful scent. In the image, you can see clusters of lilac purple/pink lilac flowers, but they come in various shades of pink and white as well. These flowers create a stunning display in any garden.
Ultimate size for lilac bushes can vary, typically reaching heights of 5 to 15 feet, depending on the variety. They thrive in full sunlight, needing at least six hours of direct sun each day for optimal blooming.
Lilacs are tough plants. Most varieties can handle USDA zones 3 to 7, making them suitable for many regions. Pruning is essential for maintaining their shape; it’s best to do this right after blooming to encourage new growth for the next season.
Beware, lilacs can sucker, so clear any unwanted new growth from around the base of the shrub when you see it.
Showy Dogwood shrubs
Showy dogwood shrubs (Cornus spp.) are bringing vibrant colours and eye-catching blooms in spring. Their flowers can be found in hues of white, pink, and even red, creating a beautiful display that brightens up your landscape.
Typically, showy dogwoods can grow anywhere from 4 to 10 feet tall and wide, making them a versatile choice for various garden spaces. They thrive in full sun to partial shade, although they prefer a bit of shade, especially in hotter climates.
Hardiness is another strong point for these shrubs. They are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, which means they can tolerate a range of temperatures.
When it comes to pruning, it’s best to keep this minimal. A light trim after flowering encourages healthy growth without affecting the blooms for the next season.
Elegant Rhododendron blooms
The rhododendron is a true showstopper in any garden. With its stunning blooms, it’s hard to miss this flowering shrub when it bursts into life each spring. The vibrant flowers come in many colours: reds, pinks, white, orange yellows and shades in between.
When you consider planting rhododendrons, keep in mind their ultimate size. Most varieties reach between 4 to 10 feet tall and can spread wide, making them perfect as focal points or as part of a hedge. They thrive best in partial shade, which helps maintain their rich colour.
In terms of hardiness, rhododendrons are versatile. They generally thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8. This means they can handle a range of climates, but check specific varieties for exact details.
Prune right after flowering to help promote healthy growth for the next season. This simple step ensures your rhododendrons stay lush and vibrant.
Fizzing Forsythia
Forsythia is a true showstopper in the spring garden. Known for its bright yellow flowers that bloom before the leaves appear, this shrub brings a cheerful burst of colour to any landscape. Its vibrant flowers stand out against the blue sky, creating a stunning visual display that celebrates the season.
Forsythia can reach an ultimate size of about 3 to 10 feet tall and wide, depending on the variety. It thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of sunlight each day to flourish. This hardy shrub is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8, making it a popular choice in many areas.
Prune right after flowering. This helps to maintain shape and encourages new growth for the following spring. With minimal care, Forsythia can be a vibrant addition to your garden, bringing joy each year as it bursts into bloom.
Sweet-scented Mockorange
Mockorange (Philadelphus) is a lovely shrub that brings beauty and fragrance to your garden. With its clusters of white flowers, it creates an outstanding display in spring. These blooms emit a sweet, citrusy scent that can fill your garden, attracting pollinators and delighting anyone who passes by.
Mockorange can reach up to 8 feet tall and wide, so it is a great choice for creating a privacy screen or backdrop for other plants. For the best growth, plant it in full sun, as it thrives with at least six hours of sunlight each day.
Mockorange is quite tough, typically thriving in USDA zones 4 to 8. It’s a hardy shrub that can withstand various weather conditions.
Prune lightly right after flowering. This helps maintain its shape and encourages healthy growth for the next season.
Hardy Weigela Blooms
Hardy Weigela is a fantastic choice for spring blooms. The vibrant flowers in shades of pink create a stunning display, making it a favourite for many gardeners.
This shrub typically reaches an ultimate size of about 3 to 5 feet in height and width. It thrives best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Sunlight helps to enhance its flowering, so aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Weigela is known for its cold hardiness, often surviving in USDA zones 4 to 8. This means it can withstand a range of climates, making it suitable for various gardens.
Pruning back the shrub after flowering, before new growth begins. This helps maintain its shape and encourages even more blooms for the following year.
Striking Spiraea Varieties
Spiraea h ave beautiful flowers, which can range from white to pink, making them a favourite for many gardeners.
Spiraea can vary in size, typically reaching between 2 to 6 feet tall. They thrive in full sun and prefer well-drained soil. In terms of hardiness, most varieties can withstand USDA zones 3 to 9.
Pruning is simple; just cut back the older stems after blooming to encourage new growth next season. This makes them a low-maintenance choice for vibrant spring colour.
Overall, spiraea are a fantastic option for adding charm and brightness to your garden.
Colourful Pieris Japonica
Pieris Japonica, often referred to as Japanese Andromeda, has delicate, bell-shaped flowers bloom in shades of white and pink, creating a subtle but eye-catching display. The rich green leaves, tinged with burgundy, provide an eye-catching contrast, making it a favourite in gardens.
This shrub typically reaches an ultimate size of about 4 to 10 feet tall and wide, depending on the variety and growing conditions. It thrives in partial shade to full sun, making it versatile for different garden settings. Hardiness ranges from USDA zones 5 to 8, allowing it to flourish in various climates.
Regular pruning is not necessary. A light trim after blooming can help maintain its shape. This shrub prefers well-drained, acidic soil and benefits from mulching to retain moisture. With the right care, it will brighten up your garden year after year.
Dramatic Butterfly Bush
The Butterfly Bush, or Buddleia, is a fantastic addition to any spring garden. The image perfectly captures its stunning clusters of purple flowers, which attract butterflies like no other.
This shrub can grow quite large, reaching heights of 5 to 10 feet and spreading up to 15 feet wide, depending on the variety. It loves full sunlight, thriving best in areas where it can soak up at least six hours of sunlight each day. This makes it ideal for sunny spots in your garden.
When it comes to hardiness, the Butterfly Bush is quite resilient. It typically grows well in USDA zones 5 to 9, making it suitable for a variety of climates.
When you prune Buddleia depends on the species. He is a guide:
- Early spring: Prune buddleia that flowers in early summer, such as B. davidii, B. x weyeriana, and B. fallowiana.
- After flowering: Prune buddleia that flowers on last year’s wood, such as B. alternifolia and B. colvilei.
- Late winter: Prune B. globosa to maintain its shape and remove dead or damaged shoots
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and gardener for more than 20 years and loves to talk and write about gardening. In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition. He is a member of the National dahlia Society.
He previously lived in London and Sydney, Australia, where he took a diploma course in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland. He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012. The website is aimed at everybody who loves plants or has been bitten by the gardening bug and wants to know more.
Gardening Step by Step has been cited by Thompson and Morgan, the UK’s largest mail order plant retailer, as a website that publishes expert gardening content.